Bears Won’t Use Franchise Tag On Alshon Jeffery; WR Likely To Hit Free Agency

The Chicago Bears will reportedly not place a franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery for 2017, meaning that barring a surprise long-term deal from the team, he will likely soon become a free agent.

Bears WR Alshon Jeffery Likely To Become Free Agent

It’s not much of a surprise that the Bears will be severing ties with 27-year-old Jeffery, a 6-foot-4, 230 pound former second-round pick in 2012. The team franchised him last year at a price of $14.599 million, and under the rules of the tag, tagging him for a second consecutive year would mean paying 120 percent of that 2016 amount, or $17.519 million.

According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Jeffery’s entry into the free agent market could draw interest from the Indianapolis Colts:

The wideout was suspended for four games last season for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancers, and he missed the final seven games of 2015 after being placed on injured reserve for a hamstring injury and other ailments.

In 12 games last year, Jeffery had 52 receptions (94 targets) for 821 yards and two touchdowns.

After playing 63 games in his five seasons, the receiver ranks third in Bears history in receiving yards with 4,549.

The contract website Spotrac places Jeffery’s market value at $12.2 million per year, using fellow wideouts A.J. Green, Dez Bryant, T.Y. Hilton and Demaryius Thomas as comparisons.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is also expected to be traded or released.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 13: Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Chicago Bears carries the football in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 13, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)